My newest 66

[swhitcomb]

So, a few weeks ago I'm scrolling through Facebook marketplace, and I see an ad for a red 66 Bug close to where I work.

At $9800 it was a little more than I wanted to spend. So, I saved it and forgot about it. Then after a week or so, the same ad, but now its $7800. Now were in the ballpark. I messaged the guy and went and looked at it.

Running, driving, and according to him, hes the second owner. Bought it from the couple who bought it new. It has a respray, but the clear coat is failing, its had at least one new floor, and the driver's side channel replaced. They did an OK job, but not a great one. Rust in the wheel wells has all been welded up and fixed. The interior had seen much better days. A car that I could drive immediately and just put the parts I'd already bought for my rusty project 66 on, and be way ahead. I thought, if I can get it for less, I'll have even more money to make it nice. Well, I managed to get it for less. Wife and I drove my Tundra down with a tow bar to pick it up, and when we pulled into the guys house, the trans fluid in the Tundra was everywhere but the trans. So, he let me drive it home. 60 or so miles. It ran beautifully. The only issue it has was it wouldn't go into gear easily. I figued it needed some adjustment.

After I got it home I realized the rubber blocks in the coupler were missing entirely. Had it fixed in about 10 mins with a coupler I had laying around. Also ordered a really nice Ross Wulf coupler for it I havent yet put in.

Once I got the glovebox open I found a stack about 2' thick of receipts from the owner before the guy I bought it from. Everything from basic tune ups to a new carb install, new door panel installation and a bunch more. Dating back to at least the early 2000s. My wife also noticed, based on the guy I got it from's title, he'd only put 1000 miles on it since he bought it in 2016.

On the way home the right side tail pipe fell off.

Home safe

The next day I started cleaning it. This is when I found the bad coupler.

Yes, those running boards have to go. Already ordered new ones.

More to come in my next post.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[Bobs67vwagen]

Nice 66 I did a lot of miles in one of those many years ago including 2 trips across country, long Island to San Diego. Does it still have the 1300 in it or did someone change it? What are your plans for it?

[swhitcomb]

Still has the 1300 in it. Bone stock with the exception of the 009 and it’s been converted to 12v.

I’m torn on the engine. It runs really nicely, but I’m want to go trough it anyway. There’s that, or, I have a really nice 1641 I built years ago and never used. I have a fairly new set of dual 34s for it. Haven’t decided. Either way, I have a new clutch, a gasket kit, rear main, and exhaust valves. The 1300 is getting a refresh if it stays in.

I ordered an interior for it. Kind of keeping what it is under wraps until it’s in. I bought new bumpers that haven’t come yet. Going for sort of a resto custom look on it.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So the next day I got to going through it. I’ve had a set of BRMs and tires mounted to them for a few years I bought for the 66 project. Since I’m not keeping that car, I mounted them on this one. The tires it came with were over 20 years old, and the spare is a sears bias ply.

Then I combined my other hobby, 3D printing, and found this model online and printed it. It’s a phone/wallet holder held in with magnets.

This is after I replaced the nasty knobs.

Replaced the tail pipes.

Put some euro tail lights on it.

Ordered a glove box pull off of eBay.

Put LED headlights in it. New housing’s upcoming, but it was way too dim with the stock bulbs.

Stock on the drives side, LED on the passenger.

Both done.

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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[Bobs67vwagen]

It's nice when you get a new old VW and are able to go through it and correct all the little things that need attention. It sounds like you have the future engine possibilities figured out. My feelings on the 1300 were that although it lacked the top end of the later motors, it felt so good going through the gears that I found it difficult to make the decision to change it. Keep up the good work. Bob

[swhitcomb]

Well, the project Bug left with the new owner this evening.

Which cleared the spot for the new one in the garage.

Now I can do things like install the disc brake kit in the AC and not out in the hot driveway.

Also started swapping ugly parts for new ones.

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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[KTPhil]

I have a soft spot for faded lenses! I hope you kept them. You can use a colored (or LED) bulb to get the proper visibility at night or for turn signals.
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Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[slayer61]

Mmmmm BRMs! I sense a proper Cal-Look bug in the works!
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[swhitcomb]

[swhitcomb]

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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Been working on the new 66 a little at night after work.

Started digging into the engine. Adjusted the valves. All the exhaust valves are tight. Or were anyway. Points were just about closed up. Wiring was really ugly. The engine covered in oil. Pretty sure it’s leaking at the oil cooler seals. Also found a hole in the exhaust. I was pretty sure it had one just based on how it sounded. Muffler install kit is on the way. I have several different exhaust systems laying around. Haven’t decided which one I want to install.

Started cleaning up the wiring. The generator is going to go. Going to swap it out for a single pole alternator. Also going to powder coat all the tin. That’ll come this winter. In the meantime I cleaned it up enough to drive it, and ordered all the tune up parts, and new valve covers. They were rusty and ugly.

Ugly cheap connectors and wrong color wires

Much better

Ugly old bumper

New bumper

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[Apostle_]

Nice! My old 66 had a 1300 w/009. It ran great! It was red as well! Good catch!

[swhitcomb]

Got some more done on the Bug today. Installed a stealth charger in the ashtray. Happy to have a charger and not have had to drill a hole in the dash. Also, with the help of my wife I cleaned the garage and organized all the parts I’ve amassed for the other 66 that will now go on this car. And, finally, the rear bumper is assembled. Just need to powder coat the retainers that hold it to the brackets.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[Bobs67vwagen]

Nice cleanup work all around. How did you get that audiovox to fit in the stock faceplate? Is it functional? Thanks bob

[swhitcomb]

[Apostle_]

Where did you get the USB insert? I like that!

[swhitcomb]

[swhitcomb]

New parts have been arriving quite often over the last few weeks.

New bumpers came. Got the front one on. Fits really nicely. I’m very happy with it.

New headlights came today

Before

After

Parking lights

Headlights

New center vent. The VW logo for the Formuling horn button is on the way.

Beam came today. 2” narrowed adjustable

Decided on a new exhaust. It’ll be here next week. Little here little there until it’s what I want it to be.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[indianpeaksjoe]

Nice buy! I have a red 66 as well, welcome to the club.

Is that hazard/emergency flasher button stock? Mine has a horrible RadioShack button there for the horn.

-Joe
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Adventures in owning a 66 beetle

[volx808]

Turning out nice! Great find by the way. Question: In the headlights, that silver area where the parking bulb sits, is there any way to clean up the existing one I have and just spray it with a Hi-temp silver? I was thinking of sanding mine down and doing that, unless there's better ways?